Suggestions for Promoting Renewable Energy
2GreenEnergy support-supporter Gary Tulie, of Buckinghamshire, England (see pic–Turville, Buckinghamshire, England) has these suggestions for moving clean energy along under the Trump administration:
Ask this question – what pro renewables policy might appeal to climate change denying republicans?
I would suggest that removing unnecessary bureaucracy and regulation whilst eliminating current incentives might be appealing to such a mindset! US capital costs for solar are still close to twice those in Europe and Australia. Why? Because of administrative and regulatory burdens not found in lower cost markets.
Great observations, but I would say:
Republicans are ostensibly pro-business, so one would think that explaining how cleantech is destined to become the defining industry of the 21st Century, and that it will produce countless high-paying jobs, would be very effective. The problem is politics. Republicans are controlled by various factions that really don’t like cleantech: especially the oil companies and the religious right. (The reasoning/motive of the first of those two groups is obvious; that of the second has always eluded me).
The other aspect of this political problem is lawyers; we have more of them over here than we have dogs and cats. They like to bill hours, and they make it very difficult to get anything done without them. That, btw, is one of the main reasons that Germany has installed so much solar PV: they have a standard permit application form that everyone uses with little or no modification. Most of the work over here is done from scratch, at $400/hour.
Craig,
My neighbour Gary makes a good point when he advocates streamlining regulations and removing unnecessary restrictions.
However, some regulations are necessary, no one wants to go through the sort of heartbreak caused by the previous Australian Labour/Green government’s recklessly deregulated Solar/insulation fiasco.
Gary also may not appreciate the vast differences between US States, or the way US administration is far more localized, often for good reason. The US is larger and in many ways more diversified than the whole of Europe.
The question of Government incentives isn’t simple. While it’s a good thing to insist industry prove economic without mandated taxpayer/consumer funding, premature removal of incentives may damage an industry during a crucial period leading to collapse or force a government to more oblique methods of support to avoid a collapse. The hidden nature of such support can prevent industries form competition and remove the need for efficient and economic improvements.
It’s not as easy as it looks.
@ Marco @ Gary
Marco, Excellent Points about the situation. You are so right about the US states having different policies and in some cases no policies.
Gary
The industry still needs the Fed Tax credit which is on a schedule to be phased out in next 2 or 3 years. ? For residential.
Net metering policies are up in the air and many utiltiies still have not performed the necessary Load research studies of solar homes based on apples to apples comparison with non solar homes.
In Az the largest utility finally has 3 different load surveys underway. The purpose is to standardize systems design, measure demand reductions provided, reliability, and smart inverter performance . Also the utilities are monitoring some smart inverters that allow the utility to actively control the solar system .
The purpose is know the positive impacts on the utility peak demand loads and how they can keep voltages and frequencies, power quality in alignment with standards needed for grid stability, performance etc.
This much needed data will allow the formulation and quantification of the true Value of Solar Generation to the Grid in contrast to the Revenue losses , establishment of net metering exchange rates that are equitable to all. Properly structured Time of Day rates and Off Peak rates. Some of the current full retail rebate payments create cross subsidization amongst ratepayer thus creating trumper like back lash!.
More of this serious engineering study work is needed nationally.
On Negative Side there are some utilities that are trying to put solar customers on rate structures that penalize solar users and this has created heated battles in state utility board hearings. Again much confusion and very few standards.
So since everyone is still learning what reality is I say go slow on any real changes. The Trumpers have bigger fish to go after etc let them get tired and we solar folks can cut them off at the Pass !
Appreciate Gary’s attempt at getting away from tax subsidy etc. UK situation I dont know details. But Gary we have lots of sun in much of US and solar is a good resource for us to Harvest and it saves water too. Creates good jobs and God the US needs more good jobs as we been flipping cheeseburgers so long its replacing the hotdog soon !!!1 LOL or Crying out Loud!
A well designed “economic balance point” Solar system in the SW states can easily generate 65 % to 70 % of their total energy usage now. You can throw more money at it and generate 100 % but it will take many years to recover the incremental investment given the low prices paid for excess generation. That Law of Diminishing returns is Real !!!
Lets get the rates figured out first is my take.
This reduces global warming since we burn Mucho gas and some coal out West but not as much as the Mid West and East. We running out of low cost water so solar saves water too.
Lots of good Puiblic policy needed and now we have a trumper ERA – what a bad Nexus!
John Oliver did a piece on “municipal violations” in which he described such violations as supporting up to 80% of the budget in some locations. Another great source of revenue are the regulations imposed upon new construction (and renovations.) Local politicians like these devices as a way to raise revenue without direct taxation. Asking these people to reduce their revenue is going to be a bit of a hard sell. It is also very easy to defend “needing regulations” (and associated permits) as a safety measure.
Perhaps what would be useful is some kind of a standard that makes an objective measure of cost if the regulations are not in place or kept to an absolute minimum.
But generally I have to agree with you Craig. What Republican’s stand for is, from a cynical perspective, something of the past. Now it is a matter of who is paying them.